Lionel Messi FINALLY speaks to reporters after Inter Miami’s 3-1 win at LAFC – and warns MLS his team are eyeing league glory
- The Argentine is hoping the Fort Lauderdale franchise can sneak into playoffs
- Inter Miami sit eight points behind with two games in hand on most above them
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Lionel Messi has spoken postgame for the first time in MLS competition as scrutiny intensified due to his absence being a violation of the league’s media policy.
Messi’s spoke with Apple TV’s Antonella Gonzalez following the 3-1 win at LAFC, fulfilling his obligation of speaking to media – as is required of all MLS players.
Despite sitting eight points outside the Eastern Conference playoffs – albeit with two games in hand – with nine matches remaining, the Argentine is aiming to conquer America this season, as he has done Spain, France and Europe itself.
‘The team grows more by the day, we have been saying it since the start of all of this. We had the luck of finding a tournament and getting to the finals,’ he said.
‘And now we’re going for the goal of getting to the eight to try to win the league this is the way. Obviously winning gives us lots of confidence.’
Lionel Messi spoke postgame to Apple TV’s Spanish-language reporter Antonella Gonzalez
Messi provided an assist as Inter Miami won 3-1 vs. the reigning defending champions, LAFC
The Argentine brought many Hollywood stars including Owen Wilson (C) and his son, Robert
Against the defending champions, Inter Miami put on a show in front of a Hollywood crowd.
Facundo Farias opened the scoring against the run of play in the 14th minute before Jordi Alba doubled the Herons’ lead shortly after the break.
Then, Messi set Leonardo Campana to all but seal the win prior to a late consolation for the hosts.
‘We said before the match this would be a great test for us to see where we stand and what we’re capable of,’ Messi added.
‘We played in a hard field against a very good opponent – the last champions and we got a very important result for what’s coming.’
The 36-year-old played the entirety of the game – his second successive 90-minute match after starting from the bench in his MLS debut vs. New York Red Bulls on August 26.
‘I feel good physically,’ Messi said. ‘Thank God I can keep playing and helping the team in any way I can and hopefully we continue in this dynamic.’
According to The Athletic, Messi and his representatives have an arrangement with the league that means the World Cup star can choose his media commitments.
The outlet cites a source as saying it’s ‘a handshake sort of deal’ and that the overall terms of the agreement are ‘a work in progress’.
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